Rose's Picks
Rose's favorite day trips from Playa del Carmen
Picked by Rose Medina, House Manager, Mayan Mansion
The short answer
Rose Medina's favorite day trips from Playa del Carmen are Cozumel by ferry, Chichén Itzá with Valladolid and a cenote swim, Tulum's ruins above the sea, Cobá, where the Nohoch Mul pyramid can be climbed again by a wooden staircase, snorkeling with sea turtles in Akumal, and the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve.
Playa del Carmen sits in the middle of the Riviera Maya, which makes Mayan Mansion a perfect base. Pick one or two of these for the group and leave the other days for the pool.
1. Cozumel
An island across the channel, about 40 minutes by ferry from Playa del Carmen, known for its reefs, beaches and beach clubs.
Why Rose picks it: Snorkel the reef in the morning and rent a jeep to drive the wild east coast.
2. Chichén Itzá and Valladolid
The great Maya city and World Heritage Site, about two and a half hours inland, with the colonial town of Valladolid nearby.
Why Rose picks it: Leave early, then swim in a cenote and have a late lunch in Valladolid. It honors our Chichén Itzá bedroom.
3. Tulum
Maya ruins on a cliff above the Caribbean, south of Playa del Carmen.
Why Rose picks it: Go first thing in the morning, before the heat and the crowds. Our Tuluminati bedroom is named for it.
4. Cobá
A Maya city in the jungle, where the Nohoch Mul pyramid reopened to climbers in December 2025 with a new wooden staircase.
Why Rose picks it: Rent bikes or take a pedicab between the temples, then climb Nohoch Mul for the view over the jungle.
5. Akumal
A bay south of Playa del Carmen where sea turtles graze on the sea grass.
Why Rose picks it: Snorkel with a certified local guide, as the rules there require, and keep your distance from the turtles. Our Tortuga bedroom honors them.
6. Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve
A protected UNESCO reserve of lagoons, mangroves and reef south of Tulum, home to hundreds of bird species.
Why Rose picks it: A boat tour through the mangrove canals is the most peaceful day of the trip.
Places change. Before your trip, Rose confirms what's open and what she'd recommend for your group that week.
More of Rose's picks
- Rose's favorite cenotes near Playa del Carmen
- Where Rose sends groups for dinner in Playa del Carmen
- Rose's rainy-day plan in Playa del Carmen
- Rose's guide to golf near Playacar and Playa del Carmen
- Rose's favorite beaches and beach clubs near Playa del Carmen
- Rose's picks for families in the Riviera Maya, from toddlers to teens
- Rose's picks for couples, inside a group trip
- Rose's night out in Playa del Carmen, starting at home
- Rose's four perfect days at Mayan Mansion
Have another question? Ask Rose.
Rose Medina answers every question personally, usually the same day. If it's a question other guests will have too, her answer may end up on this page.